A person may choose to perform a crime that is selfless and only benefits them, and harms others. An action that is deceiving may be performed if a person has burning ambition to accomplish something, however this can lead to a negative result. In the Tragedy of Macbeth, Macbeth himself is a perfect example of a person who performs actions that deceives others in order to benefit himself. Macbeth was a brave warrior, however he developed an ambitious mindset that was craving more and more power. Macbeth decides that in order to gain more power, he needs to perform actions that may be corrupted in order to improve his personal safety. He is seen as the protagonist, but later in the novel arguably becomes the antagonist. Through burning ambition …show more content…
For example, in order for Macbeth to gain power, he must kill Duncan, the current king of Scotland, and take the throne: “I have no spur / To prick the sides of my intent, but only / vaulting ambition, which o’erleaps itself / And falls on th’ other–” (1.7.25-28). Macbeth is a perfect example of a person in society who is selfless and only cares for themself. Ambition is a very powerful thing, that it may even deceive the person with it, as it is thought anything is possible with ambition. Macbeth in this case, uses his ambition to the wrong extent which eventually leads to his downfall. For instance, Macbeth has started to realize how dangerous his ambitious thoughts can be: “I have supped full with horrors. / Direness, familiar to my slaughterous thoughts / Cannot once start me” (5.5.15-17). Macbeth has also developed a tendency of being very impulsive to the point where he can not control his ambitious thoughts. A person with this internal conflict can be very dangerous to the point where good people die. This is evident throughout the novel as Macbeth continues his evil legacy of his lust for power. Ultimately, Macbeth is extremely ambitious to the point where he does not care if it harms others, but only benefits …show more content…
For example, Macbeth has just recently begun his journey for power by killing King Duncan but soon regrets it: “Will all great Neptune’s ocean wash this blood / Clean from my hand? No, this my hand will rather / The multitudinous seas incardinate, / Making the green one red” (2.2.78-81). Macbeth’s impulsive ambition has caused much harm throughout his life, that even himself has developed a feeling of regret. Many people throughout society have this same conflict to the point where they will deceive others in order to commit a crime for their own benefit, however it only comes back and gives them guilt. For instance, Macbeth is planning to kill the father of the heir to the throne, Banquo and his son Fleance, showing that he does not care for their personal lives: “It will have blood, they say. Blood will have blood” (3.4.151). Macbeth wants to see blood on his blade, showing his true hunger for power. Macbeth will do anything to achieve his goals even if it is filled with extreme amounts of blood and guilt. Bloody ambition reveals his careless crimes and his willingness to do whatever it takes. Ultimately, Macbeth deceives many others and achieves his goals through blood and
Furthermore, the use of violence in the novel serves as a symbol of Jack's corruption, as he uses violence as a means to maintain control over the group, for example, when he leads the group to hunt and eventually kill Simon, and when he and his group attack Ralph's group. Similarly, in "The Tragedy of Macbeth", Macbeth, initially portrayed as a noble and honorable man, transforms into a ruthless dictator as his ambition and insatiable desire for power leads him to commit increasingly violent and nefarious acts. Macbeth's transformation is clear when he says "I have no spur to prick the sides of my intent, but only vaulting ambition, which o'erleaps itself and falls on the other" (Act 1, Scene 7, Lines 25-27). This quote illustrates how Macbeth's ambition is the driving force behind his actions, and how it's an uncontrollable force that leads him to do terrible things. Furthermore, the use of bloodshed and violence in the play serves as a symbol of Macbeth's corruption, as he continues to kill to maintain his power, for example, the murder of king Duncan, and the massacre of Banquo and Macduff's
Macbeth's unrelenting desire for power leads him to commit evil acts, including murder. The story states, "I have no spur to prick the sides of my intent, but only vaulting ambition, which o'erleaps itself and falls on the other." (Macbeth, Shakespear) This quote highlights how Macbeth's ambition is the driving force behind his actions. He becomes so consumed with the desire for power that he is willing to do whatever it takes to achieve it.
Macbeth’s actions are driven by ambition, and he is willing to sacrifice his own moral principles
Macbeth is tempted by the prophecy of the witches that he will be king of Scotland. He decides to kill the current king, Duncan, with the help of his wife, Lady Macbeth. He also kills his friend Banquo and tries to kill Banquo’s son Fleance because they pose a threat to his throne. Today, ambition can also lead people to do immoral or illegal things to achieve their goals. For example, some people may cheat, lie, steal, or even kill to get ahead in their careers or in politics.
When the prophecy starts proving itself true, Macbeth starts to act on the witches prophecy. Because of this, Macbeth becomes increasingly obsessed with maintaining power as he disregards others, even the ones he’s closest with. Eventually Macbeth realizes what is driving him by saying, “I have no spur/to prick the sides of my intent, but only/ vaulting ambition, which o'erleaps itself and falls on th' other” (1.7.25-28). This quote demonstrates his understanding in which he knows that his own drive is fueled by the lust for power. After some time, his ambition and drive leads him down a path of destruction causing him to commit terrible acts.
Macbeth struggles between good and evil when he desires to fulfill the witches’ prophecies to become king. Lady Macbeth urges Macbeth to kill the king, but Macbeth expresses, “[he] will proceed no further… he hath honored me of late” (Ⅰ.ⅶ.34-35). Macbeth views King Duncan as a kinsman and says that he needs to be loyal to him. Macbeth sees a dagger hanging before him, and his ambition drives him to kill the King. Macbeth kills the King, and realizes he “ is afraid to think of what [he] has done” (Ⅱ.ⅱ.66).
At the beginning of the play, Macbeth, the witches' prediction that Macbeth will become king greatly influences him because he concentrates on fulfilling the prophecy. The witches’ prophecy finally compels him to murder in order to claim the throne because greed and a desire for power motivate him to do so. This can be seen during Macbeth’s soliloquy when he states, "I have no spur / To prick the sides of my intent, but only / Vaulting ambition, which o'erleaps itself / And falls on the other" (Shakespeare 1.7.25). Here, Macbeth considers how the witches' prophecy have fueled his ambition to become king. He claims that he is no longer driven by any feeling of loyalty or honour, but simply by his own ambition, which he knows may lead to his downfall, but he is unable to stop it.
Although deceit and cunning is utilised by all characters within the play in order to gain power, it is represented in differing forms, with differing outcomes. Through Macbeth's eventual use of deception and cunning within the later acts of the play, after being manipulated by his wife, he is able to take power quickly and unopposed. However, because of his overly ambitious nature and gradual descent into madness, these traits which previously rewarded him are now cause for his downfall and eventual demise. Originally, within Act 1 Scene 2 Macbeth is introduced as ‘brave’, ‘valiant’ and ‘worthy’, with this noble characterisation of Macbeth showing the audience that he is well regarded within the court.
Macbeth’s only ambition is to keep his throne and survive. Macbeth also states, “Direness, familiar to my slaughterous thoughts/Cannot once start me” (V.5 Fourteen-Fifteen). The case that he thought of the death of his wife so callously reveals his insatiable thirst for more power, and how he had become so corrupt that nothing else mattered but his greed. Macbeth’s downfall was clearly visible in his reactions to the consequences of his greed, showing how he slowly succumbed to his unchecked
One can achieve anything they set their mind to with a driving force in the quest for success and achievement. With a strong mindset, comes strong ambition. In the play Macbeth, written by William Shakespeare, ambition is presented as a dangerous character trait. It leads to the ruination of the Macbeth couple and triggers a series of sorrowful deaths. In the beginning of the play, the three witches prophesied that Macbeth will become king.
Ella Shepard Madison Billings Honors English B 8 May 2023 How Macbeth's Ambition Was A Tragic Spiral into Darkness In Shakespeare's book Macbeth, the main character Macbeth’s ambition ultimately leads to his downfall. Ambition can be two faced. It can make us achieve great things, but also it can lead to negative effects: The negative effects of ambition include mental health issues, relationship problems, and even death. In this play ambition was a negative force in the play.
In Shakespeare's play "Macbeth," both Macbeth and Lady Macbeth are driven by ambition and a desire for power, ultimately leading to their tragic downfalls. Macbeth's ambition to become king drives him to murder Duncan, but his increasing guilt and fear of being caught contribute to his descent into madness and his eventual downfall. Three points in the play that highlights the degeneration of Macbeth's character are: After becoming king, Macbeth's paranoia leads him to order the murder of Banquo and his son Fleance. In Act III, Scene 1, Macbeth says, "There are daggers in men's smiles: the near in blood, / The nearer bloody" (III.1.139-140), expressing his mistrust of those around him.
After a successful battle in Scotland, Macbeth, a general in the army, meets with the Three Witches who divulge prophecies for him and his companion Banquo. One of the major ones is that Macbeth will become the king. Driven by ambition, Macbeth does everything in his power to make this prophecy come true, even committing some heinous acts. Being ambitious is a useful trait to have but can easily have a negative impact if exploited. In Shakespeare’s
It is often said that ambition and goals are what drive society. They give people a reason to live, a goal to achieve. However, it is not uncommon for these hopes and aspirations to be the very reason that one’s life is brought to shambles. In the Shakespearean tragedy Macbeth, it is demonstrated that one’s ambition can be exploited and used to propel them towards their end. Macbeth’s intense desire to be king leads to his uncontrollable greed for power.
In life, ambition can be dangerously evil and lead to harmful choices. In the play Macbeth by WIlliam Shakespheare, ambition is seen and used very well. The play begins with Macbeth being a very noble and honorable leader and warrior for King Duncan. However, after learning that he could become King, Macbeth decides to murder King Duncan in order to take his place. Macbeth is fully responsible due to his choices led by his ambition.